Pallet Dimensions and Types by Industries in Inches & Centimeters

A pallet is a rigid, flat platform that carries a load. This structure stores, assembles, stacks, and transports goods in a stable form. Its first appearance was in the twentieth century. Its evolution has continued over the century, improving the supply chain efficiency by adding assistive features to the pallet design, increasing the pallet pool (skip straight to pallet dimensions).

A standard EURO pallet size is 80 cm (31.5″) wide,120 cm (47.25″) long and 14.5 cm (5.7″) high, refered to EURO 1

The transporter

Structures used to handle the pallets while being lifted are pallet jacks, forklifts, front loaders, and other jacking devices and the heavy loads are securely stacked by a shrink wrap, stretch wrap, adhesive and strapping. Important features to consider before purchase are the pallet’s materials, style, sizes, directions of entry, shipping destinations, and whether it’s reusable or expandable.

Pallet Dimensions and Types by Industries in Inches & Centimeters size-charts.com
Photo by Lucas van Oort on Unsplash

When constructing a warehouse, keep in mind the dimensions of the pallets you will keep. Standard pallet dimensions are of great importance because it will save on cost and the movement of inventory will be efficient.

To avoid wasting space in the warehouse and blocking inventory flow, the racking arrangements for storing the inventory should have the correct standard pallet sizes.

Related: U-Haul Truck Size: Choose the right sized moving truck, Storage Unit Size Chart – Guide To Comparing Spaces, Shipping Container Dimensions explained (with container size charts)

Summary of Pallet Dimensions and Types

Pallet Sizes and Dimensions

USA Pallet Sizes

The table below shows the pallet sizes for the United States matching them with the industries involved:

Pallet dimensions in inchesPallet dimensions in millimetersProduction rankIndustries that use them
40 * 48 inches1016 * 1219 millimeters1Grocery, many others
42 * 42 inches1067 * 1067 millimeters2Paint and telecommunications
48 * 48 inches1219 * 1219 millimeters3Drums 
48 * 40 inches1219 * 1016 millimeters4Cement, military
48 * 42 inches1219 * 1067 millimeters5Beverage, chemical
40 * 40 inches1016 * 1016 millimeters6Dairy 
48 * 45 inches1219 * 1143 millimeters7Automotive 
44 * 44 inches1118 * 1118 millimeters8chemical, drums
36 * 36 inches914 * 914 millimeters9Beverage 
48 * 36 inches1219 * 914 millimeters10Shingles, beverages and packaged paper
35 * 45.5 inches889 * 1156 millimetersUnknown Military ½ ISO container fits 36 inches standard doors
88 * 108 inches2240 * 2740 millimetersUnknownAir cargo for the military
48 * 20 inches1219 *508 millimetersUnknownRetail 

EURO Pallet Sizes

The table below shows the standard pallet sizes used by various European countries:

EURO pallet typePallet dimensions in inches and millimeters according to(length*width*diameter)ISO pallet alternativePallet weight in kilograms and poundsLoad weight in kilograms and pounds
EUR  EUR 131.50 * 47.24 * 5.71 inches 800 * 1200 * 145 millimetersISO120 – 25 kilograms 44.09 – 55.11 pounds2490 kilograms 5489.51 pounds
EUR 247.24 * 39.37 * 5.67 inches 1200 * 1000 * 144 millimetersISO233 kilograms 72.75 pounds1470 kilograms 3240.79 pounds
EUR 339.37 * 47.24 * 5.67 inches 1000 * 1200 * 144 millimeters29 kilograms 63.93 pounds1920 kilograms 4232.87 pounds
EUR 631.50 * 23.62 * 5.67 inches 800 * 600 * 144 millimetersISO0, it’s half the size of EUR9.5 kilograms 20.94 pounds500 kilograms 1102.31
 23.62 * 15.75 inches 600 * 400 millimetersQuarter the size of EUR– 
 15.75 * 11.81 inches 400 * 300 millimetersAn eighth of the size of EUR– 

ISO Pallet sizes

The table below shows the ISO standard dimensions of pallets in each region:

Pallet sizing (width and length) in millimetersPallet sizing (width and length) in inchesWasted floor ISO containerThe popularity of pallets in each region
1016 * 1219 millimeters40.0 * 48.0 inches3.7%(40 feet ISO fits 20 pallets)North America
1000 * 1200 millimeters39.4 * 47.2 inches6.7%Asia, Europe; similar to 40 * 48 inches has the same footprint as the EUR 3 pallet.
1165 * 1165 millimeters45.9 * 45.9 inches8.1%Australia
1067 * 1067 millimeters42.0 * 42.0 inches11.5%North America, Asia, Europe
1100 * 1100 millimeters43.3 * 43.3 inches14%Asia 
800 * 1200 millimeters31.5 * 47.2 inches15.2%Europe; same footprint as EUR 1 pallet and it fits many doorways.

How to Choose the Right Pallet Size For You

Pallet manufacturers created pallets from different materials that are categorized into various dimensions and styles. The following are examples of the materials used;

  • Wood pallets – are common pallets that are cost-effective, durable, and have great weight capacities. Wooden pallets are reusable because they have broad pallets and common pallet sizes are made from timber elements.
  • Plastic pallet – created from recycled plastic materials and divided into 3 parts; rackable pallets offer a 4-way entry of inventory. nestable pallets, good for export and domestic use. Stackable pallets are recycled pallets that carry heavy loads. It’s best for the paper, pharmaceutical, and beverage industries.
  • Paper pallets are made from laminated paperboard or partial wood decks and can carry the heavy load capacity due to their lightweight capacity.
  • Metal/Aluminum pallets – also known as steel pallets are long-lasting and maintain their structural foundation. Best suited for the chemical industry because they are easy to clean.

Plastic Vs. Wooden pallets comparison (video)

Plastic Pallets Versus Standard Wood Pallets by Cherry’s Industrial Equipment Corp

FAQ on Pallet dimensions and sizes 

What is the standard size for a pallet?

A pallet measurement has the first number as a stronger length and the second as the length of the deck board. Wooden pallets have 3 or 4 stringers holding multiple deck boards for placing the goods on the top.

The standard size for a North American pallet made of wood standardized by GMA (Grocery Manufacturers of America is now referred to as Consumer Brand Association CBA) is 48 inches(122 centimeters) * 40 inches (102 centimeters) with a load capacity of 3 tonnes (3000 kilograms) and a dynamic capacity of 33 lbs(15 kilograms) to 48 lbs(22 kilograms).

Other common pallet dimensions are 48 inches(122 centimeters) * 48 inches(122 centimeters) and 42 inches(107 centimeters) * 42 inches(107 centimeters).

What are the standards for pallet dimensions?

There aren’t definitive standards for dimensions of pallets globally but different sized pallets exist and are utilized worldwide. International standards differ depending on the region pallet users are from.

ISO standards allow six pallet dimensions for 4 continents( Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia) while the European pallet has a system that allows the exchange of pallets. The EURO pallets which are four-way pallets are made of wood and their dimensions are 47.2 inches(1200 millimeters) * 31.5 inches(800 millimeters) * and 5.7 inches(144 millimeters).

In addition, the Australian pallet has a unique size that is mostly used by their region, unlike other regions. Made of hardwood the square pallet has a measurement of 45.87 inches(1165 millimeters) * 45.87 inches(1165 millimeters) unfortunately, it does not suit the ISO shipping containers but its a perfect fit for the RACE container transported by the Australian railway.

More About Different Pallet dimensions explained (video)

20 Pallet Types by Recycling Quotes

Conclusion 

The dimensional standard of pallets influences pallet shipping but also uses all the trailer space, handling, and care for the goods. Although custom pallets are used standard pallet sizes are the main sizes used in the shipping industry.

They construct popular pallets associated with shipping like the stringer pallets with either plastic or wood stringers that have both 2-way pallets and 4-way pallets. In contrast, both the parallel and perpendicular stringers create the block pallets.

While other organizations aim for standards of pallet dimensions, material design, testing, and performance procedures, some dwell on the production process of quality pallets for particular industries like the grocery industry, the telecommunications industry, the dairy industry, the automotive industry, and many more.

In conclusion, depending on the requirements of your business one can choose the correct pallet type and size, the material of the pallet, cost of shipment, and storage. With the above factors, one can choose the right pallet dimension.

If you enjoyed reading this article, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below! 

Picture in this post by Wade Austin Ellis on Unsplash

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